Simply Blog

  Post-Impressionism Post-Impressionism lasted from 1880-1905 and was heavily influenced by the previous Impressionism outbreak. Two key artists of the Post-Impressionism were Georges Seurat and Vincent van Gough, who also happen to be two of my favorite artists. As a whole, Post-Impressionism “ rejected interest in depicting the observed world, [it] instead looked to memories and emotions in order to connect with the viewer on a deeper level” (The Art Story). I believe this is an excellent viewpoint into this time period - artists during this time strived to penetrate the viewers’ emotions. This style also “relied upon the interrelations of color and shape to describe the world around” (The Art Story).  This style of art is my most favorite for the Romantic Era because there is so much depth to each painting that leaves me connected with each piece on a physical and emotional level. Seurat, Georges. A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884, Oil on Canvas. Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago

   Morality in the Arts of the Classical Era         During the 18 th century there was a divide between two major art styles: Rococo and Neoclassical. According to a publication by Boise State University, Rococo was an artistic style that followed the Baroque period characterized by elaborate ornamentation, curved lines, and pastel coloring. Rococo tends to have themes depicting romance, love, nature, and playful scenes. During the Enlightenment period, Neoclassicism was formed, which is art that draws inspiration from the ancient culture of the Greeks and Romans. Many viewed the Rococo style to be immoral, which is why the Neoclassicism style is often described as a reaction against the frivolous Rococo style. As described in the publication by Boise State University, Neoclassical art is characterized by a smooth paint surface, clear definition of forms, straight lines, and a minimal use of color. The French Neoclassical style also contributed to the monumentalism of the French Rev

       Domenico Fetti was an Italian Baroque painter who is well known for his representations of biblical parables as scenes from everyday life.  Fetti was born in 1588 in Rome, he was inspired by Caravaggio’s dramatic paintings as a young prosperous artist. He served as court painter to Cardinal Ferdinando Gonzaga who later became Duke of Mantua. During this time in Mantua Fetti created the painting, David with the Head of Goliath.   Domenico Fetti (?Rome 1588/9-1623 Venice) David with the head of Goliath oil on canvas: 63¼ x 39 in. (160.7 x 99.1 cm.)      This beautiful oil painting was completed in 1620 and is a depiction of the biblical story David and Goliath (1 Samuel, 17:48-51). Using a stone from his sling David, a young shepherd boy killed the champion of the Philistines named Goliath. David then decapitates him using Goliaths own sword. In this painting, Fetti captures the conclusion of the drama as David holds the severed head of Goliath in one hand and the massive sword in

 Italian Renaissance    Sandro Botticelli,  The Birth of Venus , 1483-85, tempera on panel, 68 x 109 5/8″ (172.5 x 278.5 cm) (Galeria degli Uffizi, Florence; photo:  Steven Zucker , CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)                            In Botticelli’s beautiful piece named The Birth of Venus , the goddess Venus is being born from the sea. On the left side she is being blown by the west wind Zephyr, intertwined is Chloris. On the right is an attendant who is prepared to wrap the newborn goddess.  This painting provides great representations of patterns and tone to make the piece have depth but appear flat. A great use of patterns is seen with the flowers. There are flowers being blown over the waves on the left side, this pattern of flowers continues to them being on the attendants’ dress and appearing on the drape she is holding. These patterns bring a great sense of depth to the painting. The use of tones for a contrast of lights and darks within the seashell Venus is on enables the back of